Sclerotherapy

Sclerotherapy is a procedure to treat spider veins. Spider veins are small, superficial veins that appear of the surface of the skin, usually on the legs. They can be blue or purple and appear in a lattice pattern. Spider veins are completely harmless. They occur frequently in women in the aged 30-50.

Almost anyone with unwanted spider veins can be treated, except women who are pregnant or nursing. Other relative contraindications include those with skin infections, uncontrolled diabetes, fever, history of deep vein thrombosis, anticoagulant therapy those patients taking corticosteroids.

Sclerotherapy is performed by injecting a sterile solution into the small veins using a very fine needle. The chemical irritates the small vein and over two to four weeks, the vessel turns into scar tissue that fades, eventually becoming virtually unnoticeable or invisible. Some blood vessel may have to be injected more than once, some weeks apart, depending on its size and response to treatment. In any one treatment session a number of vessels can be injected.

Sclerotherapy is generally used for the very small superficial veins next to the skin. It is not effective for large veins and requires large amounts of the sclerosants with the potential to be absorbed. When large veins are treated with sclerotherapy, a stronger solution and a higher volume is required. Following the treatment for larger veins, compression hose stockings are usually recommended to be worn for at least 2 weeks. It is best to get spider veins treated in the winter months as one can easily wear stockings.

Walking is highly recommended soon after the procedure. But any high activity sports should be avoided for the first two to three days.

Sclerotherapy should never be done on the face and hands. The hand veins may not look pretty at times, but they should never be treated. If the facial veins are very conspicuous, laser is a better option than sclerotherapy.

Besides some stinging pain, sclerotherapy can rarely cause a few side effects. Allergic reactions are rare. A few individual may develop irritation or intense itching at the site of injection. If the chemical is injected outside the vein, profound discoloration and pain can occur.

There are certain things that can be done to minimize spider vein formation. Regular walking with low-heeled shoes and exercise as well as wearing support hose may prevent formation of some spider veins.